A recently launched initiative by the city of Ogden seeks to encourages immigrants’ citizenship who have completed many of the necessary procedures to become citizens of the United States but still need to complete the final two: the application and interview processes.
“We want people to be civically engaged,” stated Linda Lartigue, Ogden’s minority affairs coordinator and program architect.
About Ogden’s New Programme that Encourages Immigrants’ Citizenship
The Ogden Citizenship PATH program makes use of the resources provided by several neighborhood organizations to assist program participants in completing the naturalization process. Participants enroll in the Weber County Library System’s citizenship course, which teaches them the knowledge of American history they’ll need for the test and interview. However, that is only a portion of the new initiative.
Additionally, the children will participate in “field days,” whereby community members will meet to discuss many facets of civic involvement and life. Twenty kids from various Weber County schools participated in the program’s pilot launch earlier this month.
Among the guest speakers scheduled to talk to the children are representatives from law enforcement, elected officials, a judge, and a Weber County official who will explain the voting process.
“We are equipping a future citizen to actively participate in the community,” United Way of Northern Utah’s Fernando Morales stated. Together, he and Lartigue designed the new course, which they intend to duplicate since they think it’s unique in Utah.
However, Lartigue believes that the reward is worthwhile. According to her, Ogden officials are constantly discussing how to involve the community, and encouraging citizenship among immigrants is a crucial strategy.
“I think having people in your community be actively engaged just adds to the success of the city as a whole,” she stated.
Furthermore, citizenship allows citizens to cast a ballot and even run for public office. But fundamentally, according to Morales, it offers you greater ownership in your new house. PATH stands for prepare, apply, test, and support your community in the program title.
Morales says, “It’s about really belonging to your community.”
Depending on the naturalization category under which they will apply for citizenship, participants must have been lawful permanent residents for three to five years to be eligible for the program.
To complete the citizenship process, they must be willing to swear the oath of allegiance to the United States and possess a working understanding of English. If you wish to get further guidance and assistance in getting your USA citizenship, feel free to contact our work and study abroad consultants.
Qualifications
To be considered for the program, participants must:
Fulfill the eligibility conditions set out by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (U.S.C.I.S.) to become a citizen of the United States. For further information, including specific exclusions and provisions for United States military veterans, see Naturalisation by Military Service.
Please utilize the Citizenship Resource Center’s Naturalisation Eligibility Tool for further information.) Throughout the term, some of these prerequisites will be taught:
- possess a minimum of eighteen years of age while applying;
- have three or five years’ worth of lawful permanent residence (depending on the naturalization category the person is petitioning under);
- have a permanent address and physical presence in the United States;
- Proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking fundamental English; a solid moral code; familiarity with American history and politics; a commitment to the values of the U.S. Constitution; and
- Take the Oath of Allegiance willingly.
- Be prepared to meet the requirements of the class:
- Participate in and attend at least 75% of the courses and events; Commit to complete 20 hours of community service; and
- By the conclusion of the course term, complete all U.S.C.I.S. paperwork.